'Grease' is the word at Winnacunnet High School

HAMPTON — Burger Palace Boys and Pink Ladies will rule the stage at Winnacunnet High School as the student thespians put on "Grease" on March 8 and 9.

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By Lisa Tetrault-Zhe

seacoastonline.com

By Lisa Tetrault-Zhe

Posted Feb. 28, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By Lisa Tetrault-Zhe
Posted Feb. 28, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

HAMPTON — Burger Palace Boys and Pink Ladies will rule the stage at Winnacunnet High School as the student thespians put on "Grease" on March 8 and 9.

The musical, composed in 1971, tells the story of 10 working-class teenagers as they learn about love and heartbreak.

Students asked for several years for the school to put on "Grease" and this year, theater director Peter Thomes agreed.

"It is the original high school musical," Thomes said. "It's a fun musical comedy with great music and dance. Hopefully it will attract more student audiences than in years past. I waited because we did it about 10 years ago."

One actor said he came back to theater just for the show.

"I was in a play my freshman year at my old school (in Idaho); I was the understudy in Sweeney Todd," said senior Jake Ciciora, who'll play Roger in the show. "But this year I came back to acting because of 'Grease.' I grew up dancing to the music with the neighborhood kids."

Another student said she is thrilled this year to be in the production.

"I'm so glad we waited until my senior year to do 'Grease,' said senior Nicki Hayden, who'll portray Rizzo. "I would have been too nervous as a freshman, but now I'm ready for it."

According to choral director Patrick Moore, the available cast spurred the decision to put on the show, which is the 15th longest-running show on Broadway, according to Wikipedia.

"We have a lot of strong senior girls, really good pop singers, so 'Grease' just fit," Moore said. "The students were thrilled. It's not a difficult show or a very deep show, but it's a lot of fun."

One thespian said she got the perfect part.

"I love that I'm Jan, it just fits," said junior Thea Stefano. "Everybody fits with the roles they got."

According to Moore, the actors were all familiar with the show.

"They all know the movie, but they don't get all the 50's references, so we've had to explain a lot," Moore said. "The fact that they're playing teenagers comes naturally to them."

The actors are hopeful the well-known show will draw a crowd.

"More people will come than usual because everyone is familiar with the show," said Hayden. "It's a lot different than the movie, it's better in my opinion."

For the seniors, this will be their last show at WHS. As the cast members agreed they are like a big family, it can be hard to say goodbye,

Hayden, who's been in nearly every show since she was a freshman, said she doesn't want to focus on the finality of it.

"I'm happy, even though it's the last show," Hayden said. "It's a really fun time. There'll be stress, crying, yelling, laughing. We have to have it all."

The show will run on March 7 at 7 p.m. and two shows on March 8, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at WHS auditorium. Tickets are $7 per person, $5 for senior citizens and children.